The #98 BMW M6 GT3 from Rowe Racing was the best-placed BMW in the overall standings, finishing in second, and many private BMW teams and drivers had reason to celebrate in other classes at the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring (GER).
A total of 13 BMW M235i Racings were competing in the Cup 5 category. After 138 laps, the #249 car crossed the line first, driven by Yannick Mettler (SUI), Patrick Hinte (GER), Marc Ehret (GER) and the reigning BMW Sports Trophy winner Michael Schrey (GER). BMW cars were also to be found high up in the standings for the other SP 5, SP 6, SP 8T and V4 classes after a turbulent 24 hours.
The race was the first official race outing of the new M4 GT4. Driven by Germans Dirk Adorf and Jörg Weidinger, alongside the Brits Ricky Collard and Jethro Bovingdon, the car won the SP 8T class and finished 37th overall. The global sales launch of the BMW M4 GT4 (below) was timed to coincide with the start of the ADAC Zürich 24H Race. Initially limited to 80 cars and designed for the BMW customer racing, the new model will also be supplied exclusively with Hankook tires. As of 2018, this car will close the gap between the entry-level BMW M235i Racing and the BMW M6 GT3.
The 24-hour race at the Nürburgring was the ideal location for BMW Motorsport to reveal some details about the planning for its customer racing product range. The BMW M6 GT3 will remain the top model in the range of cars for private BMW teams and drivers until at least the end of 2019. An Evo package is planned for 2018, which will improve the already competitive GT sports car in many areas.
